For some reason, the rhythms are all wrong. This kind of sequence is like a symphony, balancing visual information with dialogue, sounds, music, and so on. When it doesn’t hold together, the effect is discordant, queasy. Conran throws so much at us, we end up being distracted rather than consumed. Fortunately, as the film continues to unwind, he begins to find his balance.
There’s a certain degree of hokiness (part and parcel of this genre), an irresistible corniness that Conran makes no apologies for, making Sky Captain that much more giddy and gleeful. The gaps in logic, ominous musical cues, flying robots, and “Mysterious Woman“ (dressed like a dominatrix seal with goggles) all seem perfectly acceptable, because it’s consistent with the loopy tone.
But the acting technique used by Law and Paltrow feels completely out of sync with the rest of the film. You can tell by the content the writing is funny, but there’s no snap, no timing. Compare it to the work of Jennifer Jason Leigh and Tim Robbins in The Hudsucker Proxy. Or Loy And Powell in The Thin Man series. Law and Paltrow (or Conran) don't have the first clue about veiled romantic banter; they deliver it like they’re doing Chekhov or Shaw. It may sound more natural, but it’s inappropriate for the material.
I want to give Kerry Conran credit for the women’s roles in Sky Captain. To use the current terminology, there’s a lot of empowerment built into the script. You can tell he’s using Paltrow’s looks in an ambiguous way - she’s capable without losing her “damsel” appeal. But there’s something else too, the use of makeup and Paltrow’s semi-crooked mouth, that make her look almost boyish. Captain (Francesca) Cook and “The Mysterious Woman” (Bai Ling) deliver an even stronger message. Cook leads an all-female squadron with aplomb and Bai Ling is menacing and formidable. In a sense Conran is re-writing the sci-fi film genre, but it seems plausible. It gibes with the visionary nature of a dream of life in the future.
![Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513HG5PXTGL._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - -E
Heh, I ended up buying this movie in a grocery store because I never saw it in a theater, and I tend to buy DVDs instead of renting them. I enjoy this movie. Sure, it is hokey, but I think that is part of its charm.
Thanks for writing this review, it was a fun read.
2 - Christopher Soden
E. my friend, if it wasn't clear, yes, I too, think hokiness is DEFINITELY part of its charm. No doubt. Like everything else, I think hokiness has to be used well or earned and IMNSHO, SKY CAPTAIN manages this. Rock on Sky Captain! Rock on Kerry Conran!
3 - -E
HAHA, no it was most certainly clear. I am in agreement :)
4 - MovieFan
Good review! I disagree with your comments about Law and Paltrow though. They were perfect; it's the editing of the action sequences that's defective. As you say, the action and the banter should gel better. I suspect Conran needs a bit more experience to get that right. All the same, Sky Captain evokes an innocence very rare in the theatres these days. I love the movie and have watched it many times in the theatres and on DVD. Here's hoping for a sequel (however unlikely that is)!
5 - Deano
Also worth mentioning is the added features on the DVD discussing how the film was made and the extent of the special effects - literally every shot was a computer generated set, filmed on a blue screen.
6 - -E
Congrats, this article was picked for one of this week's Ed Picks. Keep up the good work.